Dalani Aamon

Reviews

Author Dalani Aamon says he wrote I Must Let My People Know: A Study Guide To Being A Better You, to "...help my people regain their sense of balance." Upon first reading that sentence, saying ... "Oh Lawd! Here we go again - another Put - Black Folk-down-self-help book, "I realized how wrong I was as this sentence in the Introduction smacked me upside the head with its profundity." How foolish we must look to our African children to put our trust in the words of the people who have enslaved us." As Aamon says, " ... you will see yourself somewhere in this book.” And right he is ! " Why do we make our Black youth study other people’s cultures and religious ways without any regard for our own African beliefs?” He also said that Blacks ...“need to change from the Eurocentric way of life to our own way of doing things...in a mode that will move us toward spirituality.” No argument there! His tributes to Brothers Mumia Abu Jamal and Dr. Khallid Muhammad are thrilling, and his including in his text “Frederick Douglass On Christians,” “The Willie Lynch Letter,” “Their-my emphasis- Declaration of independence,” and “The Constitution of Their United States of Amerika- his spelling-” for me, insures that this what I call ‘reference’ book will remain a valuable tool not only for other writers but also for the so necessary schooling/educating of many of our seriously mis-educated Black Folk.

The currency of this to me is mind boggling: when he says. “The Black vote in the year 2000 proved that we are powerless against the white Agenda in America. Give us the right to vote but don’t count it. The rights and protections under the law were never meant for us,” of course we flinch, but since he follows up with a trenchant quote from former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. " The government that they devised was defective from the start,” we cannot gainsay his veracity! Dalani (and it’s OK for me to use his first name; we met at The Black Holocaust Anniversary Celebration this year at The National Black Theatre) says "we Africans are in a serious coma and hopes that one day we’ll all awaken and begin to understand our condition, a part of which is caused by watching too much junk TV". Well Yes! But “Children of our African descendants deserve much better than your Americanized teachings.”
He also submits the idea that organized religion (look out!) is the bane of our Black existence. Indeed, the late former President of Malawi, The Hon. Hastings Banda, did expel “Jehovahs Witnesses” from his Black African country saying that they were undermining the growth of that Black nation!) More Aamon: "Our youth need truth, not rituals. When all the clapping, singing, jumping up and down and acting like fools ends, we still have a sick planet to deal with. " This book is full of what people of color need to do. ( I am happy that he’s expanded “Black” and African” to people of color.” ) although throughout the book, he does ricochet between “Blacks,” “Africans” and “people of color.”) However, it’s a joy to read his: “People that don’t love themselves will always exhibit self-destructive behavior. We were taught to love others but not ourselves.” This, of course, goes right up against Sister Camille Yarborough’s getting up in front of a bunch of us Black still-enslaved folk leading us to chant: “I love you more than I love myself!” (And if you don’t think we’re still- enslaved, just ask Mumia Abu Jamal, Leonard Peltier or Abdel Muhti!) (Give this book-by a Jr. high school dropout!-to your teacher, pals!)

Carol Taylor

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Aamon delivers the truth without fear in this debut publication from one of Black America’s finest writers. With deep passion and commitment, Aamon teaches us to think, analyze, and evaluate the conditioning of the capitalist way of life. Each chapter leads readers to deeper understanding of what must happen inside of every African American to facilitate authentic empowerment and truth.

The chapter on religion provides a historical overview of how the Maafa robbed African Americans of the power and blessings of the original traditions. It speaks boldly on issues in Black culture that continue to play a primary role in continuing the oppressive doctrines of our ancestral captors. Letters to the sisters and the brothers gently but firmly charge Black men and women with new principles for living designed to uplift and empower them for the long haul.

An entire chapter is dedicated to drug abuse and alcoholism in the Black community and how proper diet and nutrition, or lack thereof, plays a role in our mental enslavement. This is powerful writing by a cultural icon that refuses to let racism silence his warrior words and voice.

Ta'Shia Asanti - THE URBAN SPECTRUM MAGAZINE

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I Must Let My People Know shows such clarity of thought that it is sad to think that these ideas aren't commonplace. In fewer than 200 pages, Dalani Aamon weaves everyday common sense with thought provoking reflection in such a way that it invokes individual accountability that is personally undeniable. There is absolutely no way to read this book and walk away unchanged.

In the first chapter, Aamon writes the clearest explanation of the mental ills and challenges faced by the entire black community.

He never pacifies or sugar coats any reality, covering such topics as depression, anger, shame in being black, both physically and mentally, and then fearlessly asks the question: "What side are you on?"

Aamon's next few chapters take the theories of Religion, The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, Drugs and Death to show how recent history should have been entirely predictable.

It's impossible to miss Aamon's message: If your forcing a group of people to play your game, then changing the rules so that they can't win, it's no surprise that the participants are seeking an escape.

Nearing the end, Aamon has torn up the "System" and broken down family dysfunction so that one would have to be deaf, dumb and blind to rationalize or substantiate the current existence and state of either.

As a conclusion, Aamon's vivid accounts of recent historical events and gatherings, including the Mumia trial and Million Man March is reminiscent of a dear friend telling it to you.

I Must Let My People Know is more compelling than anything I've read.

A genuine masterpiece, this book lets no one off the hook.

Amani X

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